Buy Your Side

In this episode of the Buy Your Side podcast, Michelle dives into the important considerations you need to make when selecting a Buyer’s Agent, including key qualities and red flags that can make or break your property buying experience. Michelle highlights how to identify an underqualified Buyer’s agent, why proven track records and deep knowledge matters, understanding service transparency and f...

In this episode, Michelle talks about poignant lessons from her client interactions over the years. You'll learn the importance of researching areas you may not have thought of buying in, the restriction around pets in apartments, why you must read the strata report before buying an apartment, and what makes Michelle say no to a potential client. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a re...

In this episode, Michelle draw parallels between the world of dating and the property market. While it might seem like a strange comparison, Michelle uncovers some surprising similarities that can help you navigate buying with a bit more insight. You'll learn how property photos can be just as misleading as dating app profiles, why lighting in photos might reveal more than you think, the importanc...

In this episode, Michelle dives into the often frustrating question, “Why don’t agents disclose the selling price of a property?” You will learn who can request to keep a property's sale price confidential, reasons why the property's sale price is kept undisclosed, why privacy is so important when it comes to real estate,. different tactics some agents use to manage market expectations, and differ...

In this episode, Michelle discusses the process of how sales reserves are set and the common misconceptions surrounding price guides and reserves in property auctions. In today’s episode, you will learn how price guides are determined, and by whom, the legal obligations a sales agent has when offers are made and rejected, how auction reserves are set, and by whom, and why you shouldn’t pay attenti...

In this episode, Michelle discusses the importance of setting your limit for an auction. In today’s episode, you will learn how to stop over committing in the heat of the moment, the importance of researching comparable sales, how to assess the competition, and how to emotionally prepare yourself for an auction. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you th...

In this episode, Michelle discusses the rise of the bank of Mum and Dad. In today’s episode, you will learn why clear expectations need to be set, why open and honest communication is crucial, the importance of professional guidance, and about the legal and financial considerations. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full show notes to the ep...

In this episode, Michelle discusses the importance of understanding strata by-laws. In today’s episode, you will learn why you need to read the by-laws prior to purchasing, how reading the by-laws can save you money, where to find the by-laws, and what strata can restrict you from doing. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full show notes to t...

In this episode, Michelle discusses how ignorance may be sabotaging your property search. In today’s episode, you will learn how your limiting beliefs may be leaving you stuck, the importance of basing property decisions on facts and figures, how to make informed compromises, and what alternative financial solutions can be explored. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd lov...

In this episode, Michelle discusses whether you should renovate before selling and what to consider. In today’s episode, you will learn how advice from real estate agents can help, the importance of doing your own research into the current market, what online portal can give you valuable information to help with your decision and how, and why using a reputable solicitor when you sell is crucial. L...

In this episode, Michelle chats with Helen Ruprecht, a Buy Your Side podcast listener, about her journey from being a long-time renter to buying her own home. In today’s episode, you will hear about the significant challenges Helen faced in saving for a property deposit and how she achieved her goal, the importance of adjusting expectations when searching for a home, what motivated Helen to pursue...

In this episode, Michelle chats with Allyson Bailie from HOPE Investment. Together they discuss how HOPE Investment came about and how they assist with housing affordability. In today’s episode, you will learn how Hope Housing addresses housing affordability for essential workers, what their plan for the future is, how their shared equity model assists the homebuyers, and why HOPE Housing emphasis...

In this episode, Michelle what is expected for the real estate market in 2024. From today’s episode, you will learn what time frames for look like for purchasing, what may cause delays, what types of properties we will see more of for sale, and what is the fastest growing demographic in the market is. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full s...

In this episode, Michelle discusses her 10 non-negotiables for buying property. In today’s episode, Michelle explores the various research you should be undertaking, the importance of working with a quality team, why due diligence is of the utmost importance, and the importance of getting your financials in order. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you...

In this episode, Michelle explores making an offer prior to auction and ensuring it is the right choice for you. In today’s episode Michelle explores the reasons why buyers may want to buy prior to auction, why being scared of going to an auction isn’t a reason to want to make an offer prior to auction, understanding when it’s not a good idea to make an offer prior to auction, and the importance o...

In this episode, Michelle explores pre settlement inspections and their significance in the property buying process. In today’s episode, you will learn the reasons behind the timing of the inspection in the buying process and the potential issues that can arise if done on the day of settlement, how buyers typically have the right to only one additional inspection between exchange and settlement an...

In this episode, Michelle chats with Ludwina Dautovic from The Room Xchange. Together they explore what The Room Xchange offers in the rental marketplace. In today’s episode, you will learn how The Room Xchange works for both the homeowner and renter, the importance of having difficult conversations when starting out with home sharing, what are the benefits to using the Room Xchange and ways in wh...

In this episode, Michelle and James O’Brien from Shore Financial explore whether the media's portrayal of the mortgage cliff matches reality and discuss its implications on property owners. From today’s episode, you will learn what is a "mortgage cliff" and whether it is a real concern or media hype, how changes in mortgage rates can affect property owners and investors, the dynamics of the proper...

In this episode, Michelle chats with Daniel Leahy from Dwell Property Inspections about the importance of building and pest inspections. In today’s episode, we discuss the Qualifications and Background of Building Inspectors here in NSW, the importance of due diligence when purchasing a property, including the need for an independent building and pest inspection, what does a building and pest insp...

In this episode, Michelle explores the role of buyer's agents and highlights the qualities and responsibilities of buyer's agents in the property market. From today’s episode, we understand the role of buyer's agents and discuss how this profession has gained popularity in the property buying landscape in recent years, the different pathways to becoming a buyer's agent, including the need for a li...

In this episode, Michelle chats with James O’Brien from Shore Financial about property valuations and how they can make or break property deals. From today’s episode, we explore the existing flaws in property valuation and the subjective nature that often gives rise to disputes surrounding valuations in the lending process, why understanding the challenges posed by valuers unfamiliar with local ma...

In this episode, Michelle discusses the Spring 2023 Property Market and what it means for both buyers and sellers for the last few months of the year. In today’s episode, you will learn why spring sees an increase in properties listed, the challenges faced by buyers due to limited house options and investor-driven apartment sales, the role of auction campaigns in property market dynamics and its i...

In this episode, Michelle chats with Sarah Elkordi from The Rent Fairy about navigating the rental crisis. In today’s episode, Sarah discusses rental applications, and how to improve your own, what are the four D’s when it comes to finding the perfect rental property, smart ways to navigate the rental crisis, and the importance of good documentation when submitting your rental application. Love th...

In this episode, Michelle answers a question she is often asked, now that contracts are exchanged can I start renovating?  In today’s episode, you will learn why you can’t start renovations before settlement, the benefits of negotiating a shorter settlement to assist with renovations, what is access under license and what does it mean, and why strata can complicate the renovation process and...

In this episode, Michelle chats with Jared Zak from Dott & Crossitt about the best way to make an offer on a property In today’s episode, Jared explains the differences in auction, private treaty and strategies to make an offer, what is a 66W certificate and why is it used, why different markets require different types of offers, and the importance of understanding the agents and vendor involv...